DAILY DIRT: Beach Boys lead off countdown of top American groups of the ’60s

Daily Dirt for Monday, May 5, 2025

The Monkees just miss the top seven … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,275 of The Daily Dirt.

1.  We’re going to have some fun this week.

Beginning today, The Daily Dirt will count down its top seven American bands/groups of the 1960s. We’re going to do it one per day to keep you guessing to see — by process of elimination — who might end up at No. 1. Remember, these are American groups only, so don’t expect to find the Beatles, Rolling Stones or The Who.

I’m basing these rankings on a combination of strengths, such as social impact, chart positions and overall popularity. Longevity doesn’t hurt, but’s it not necessarily a prerequisite. There will be no surprise inclusions. These groups were all megastars back in the glorious ’60s.  Have some fun this week, and turn on your favorite oldies channel!

Let’s get started:

No. 7: The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys weren’t just another band, they were bona fide pioneers in songwriting and production techniques. Brian Wilson, the band’s mastermind, pushed the boundaries of pop music, incorporating classical and jazz elements, using unconventional recording techniques and creating complex, yet catchy, harmonies. 

The group’s original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine. Distinguished by their vocal harmonies and overall musical ingenuity, they are one of the most influential acts of the rock era.

Mike Love and some new band members will be appearing as the Beach Boys at the Adams County Fairgrounds in September as part of the county’s bicentennial celebration.

My personal three favorite songs of the Beach Boys are:

“Wild Honey”: This will always be 2 minutes, 39 seconds of pure enjoyment. Carl Wilson sang lead and was never better. Accounts say “Wild Honey” is a love song about a woman, possibly a “wild little honey” who is described as natural and free — their words, not mine. It explores the idea of being destined to be together, suggesting some sort of pre-determined connection. Those kinds of things were big in the late ’60s. Me? I just loved the music.

“Good Vibrations”: This was one of the first four .45s I ever purchased, and will always hold a special place in my musical heart.

tie–“Barbara Ann”: This was the first Beach Boys song to really catch my ear, and it is simply impossible not to sing along with.

tie–“Help Me Rhonda”: Speaking of impossible not to sing along with …

They just missed the rankings: The Monkees

Since we’re working our way up the ladder, I thought it only fair to spotlight one group in particular that just missed our countdown, and believe me, I went back and forth numerous times — moving it in and moving it out or our rankings. That group? The Monkees, of course.

The Monkees were the biggest new American band of 1966 who were also the stars of an NBC television show. The Monkees climbed up the charts with two No. 1s in a row, “Last Train To Clarksville” and “I’m A Believer”, which was the final No. 1 song of 1966 and the biggest hit of the year. It did not hurt having Neil Diamond write songs for your group. He contributed not only “I’m A Believer” to the Monkees, but also wrote “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You” (No. 2) for them. The Monkees had 11 top-40 songs through 1968, including  “Daydream Believer” (also No. 1), but then faded away almost as quickly as they arrived. Their lack of longevity was the main reason I kept them out of the top seven.

Some other groups who just missed our countdown, in no particular order, were:

• Tommy James and the Shondells
• The Association
• The Buckinghams
• The Lovin’ Spoonful
• The Box Tops
• Paul Revere and the Raiders
• Booker T & the MGs.
• The Mamas and the Papas
• The Young Rascals
• The McCoys
• The Turtles
• The Byrds

2. Did you know (Part 353)

• That McDonald’s plans to expand to 50,000 global restaurants by 2027. The Golden Arches currently have about 40,000 such sites spread across more than 100 countries.
• That Utz is introducing a new lemonade flavor for its potato chips.
• That Qdoba is bringing back Mango Salsa.
• That Jell-O is debuting new Oat Milk Chocolate Pudding.
• That Taco Bell, Wendy’s and McDonald’s will continue adding more chicken-related items to their menus.

3. This is for our male readers.

There are certain terms used by females that you have HAVE to be aware of or whatever the current situation is could get out of control in a hurry. Always remember when you hear the following terms you’re on thin ice and it’s beginning to crack:

“Fine”: This is the word just about every woman likes to use to end an argument when she knows she is right. You need to be quiet. Immediately.

“Nothing”: This always means “something” and it’s time to be worried.

“Go ahead”: This is a dare, not permission. By no means, do it. You will be very, very sorry.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — There’s actually one more inclusion for thought No. 3. It’s “That’s OK”. That means she is thinking long and hard about when and how you will pay for your mistake.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. I can’t believe he’s never in trouble with the little woman.